STILL remembered as a legend by Stoke fans, Denis Smith takes his Wrexham side to fortress Britannia on Saturday.

Smith was part of the golden age of Stoke in the 1970s and helped them lift the League Cup in 1972 but, while City shouldn't expect any favours, they may not need them.

Stoke have won their last five home matches and, as they still need a win to further their play-off ambitions, they will be gunning for a victory against already-relegated Wrexham.

And with the club reportedly losing up to £33,000 a week, Stoke need the increased revenue of First Division football and manager Gudjon Thordason will be on his way if they don't achieve it.

With his contract up at the end of the season he may be on his way anyway as relations between him and the fans are becoming strained. He has even censored himself and his players from speaking to the local paper afterit printed letters questioning his judgement.

Much of the contention centres on him continually playing his son Bjarni Gudjonson on the right of midfield, even though the winger blows hot and cold.

His substitution during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Oldham is one of the few times he has been taken off by his father.

Thordason should continue with his 4-4-2 formation which sees former Chester keeper Neil Cutler in goal.

Despite an upcoming ban for his red card at Oldham, Wayne Thomas should remain at right back, but if he does fall out of favour, Ian Brightwell, signed from Walsall on transfer deadline day, will fill in.

At left-back should be former Republic of Ireland under-21 international Clive Clarke, who came through the youth ranks.

Peter Handyside has become a dependable centre-half since signing from Grimsby in the summer and he should carry on his partnership with Belorussian captain Sergei Shtaniuk in the centre. Another free, he came from a bit further afield than Lincolnshire Dynamo Moscow.

Unless there is a big change of heart Gudjonson will line up on the right with Peter Hoestrka on left if the former Ajax man recovers from injury. It is more likely that Belgian Juergen Vandeurzen will keep his place.

Transfer-listed James O'Connor has had his disagreements with Thordason in the past, but the Irish under-21 international always plays when fit.

Tony Dinning should partner him in the middle and he must have thought he'd seen the last of Wrexham - the on-loan midfielder has been in the three Wigan sides that have lost to Wrexham this season.

Up front expect top scoring Scotsman Chris Iwelumo but his partner may be a mystery. On-loan Derby striker Deon Burton is out of form and so local lad Andy Cooke may come back into contention.